Dianthus plant named ‘KLEDP20383’

ABSTRACT

A new  Dianthus  plant designated ‘KLEDP20383’ particularly distinguished by red-purple flower color in winter, that changes to light pink then fading to almost white; and a pink flower color in summer with a light pink eye, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Dianthus caryophyllus.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEDP20383’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Dianthus, botanically known as Dianthus caryophyllus and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEDP20383’. ‘KLEDP20383’ is a selection that resulted from a controlled cross pollination of the commercial female Dianthus line ‘KLEDP16188’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,299) and the proprietary male Dianthus line ‘DCP-2012-0206’.

In the summer of 2016, the female Dianthus line ‘KLEDP16188’ and the male Dianthus line ‘DCP-2012-0206’ were cross pollinated in Stuttgart, Germany and seeds were obtained. The seeds were sown and plants were grown for evaluation. A plant line was selected in May of 2017 in Stuttgart, Germany, and named ‘KLEDP20383’. In May of 2017, ‘KLEDP20383’ was first vegetatively propagated by vegetative cuttings. ‘KLEDP20383’ was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation via vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart, Germany and Latina, Italy.

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of ‘KLEDP20383’ when grown under normal horticultural practices in Latina, Italy and Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Red-purple flower color in winter, that changes to light pink         then fading to almost white; and     -   2. Pink flower color in summer with a light pink eye.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Dianthus plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 shows the whole plant in winter, including the flowers and foliage and buds, taken in Stuttgart, Germany; and

FIG. 2 show a close-up of a flower in summer, taken in Latina, Italy.

The photos are of 14-week-old plants of ‘KLEDP20383’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEDP20383’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. Data for all characteristics was collected in July of 2020 on plants potted (indoor) and in week six of 2020. The flower color for summer production was measured on plants potted in week 10 (outdoor). Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5^(th) edition (2007).

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Caryophyllaceae.         -   Botanical.—Dianthus caryophyllus.         -   Common.—Pot carnation.         -   Designation.—‘KLEDP20383’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female.—‘KLEDP16188’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,299).         -   Male.—The proprietary line ‘DCP-2012-0206’. -   Plant:     -   -   Propagation type.—Vegetative cuttings.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant.—5 weeks.         -   Rooting description and habit.—Fine, free branching white             RHS 156C.         -   Rooting habit.—Lanceolate.         -   Plant form.—Upright.         -   Plant height.—10.0 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—19.0 cm. -   Lateral branches:     -   -   Length.—10.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.2 cm.         -   Shape in cross section.—Circular.         -   Hollowness of stem.—Absent.         -   Number of internodes.—3.         -   Internode length.—2.0 cm.         -   Internode thickness.—Thin.         -   Node length.—0.2 cm.         -   Node diameter.—0.4 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—RHS 139B. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Length.—6.9 cm.         -   Width.—0.6 cm.         -   Shape.—Linear.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Curvature.—Very weekly curved.         -   Glaucosity.—Medium.         -   Cross section of the leaf.—Very weakly concave.         -   Texture (both upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth.         -   Immature leaf color.—Upper surface: RHS N137D. Lower             surface: RHS N137C.         -   Mature leaf color.—Upper surface: RHS N137B. Lower surface:             RHS N137B.         -   Venation pattern.—Parallel.         -   Venation color (both upper and lower surfaces).—RHS 138A. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Round, wavy, small sprays with             red-purple flower color, that changes to light pink then             fading to almost white.         -   Position of flowers compared to foliage.—Same level.         -   Fragrance.—Sweet.         -   Natural flowering season.—Spring to fall.         -   Flower longevity on the plant.—10 to 15 days.         -   Flower diameter.—3.7 cm.         -   Clustering of flowers on lateral branches.—In some lateral             branches.         -   Buds.—Length: 1.9 cm. Diameter: 0.8 cm. Shape: Oblong.             Color: RHS 143A.         -   Corolla.—Quantity of petals per flower/arrangement: 18.             Corolla height: 1.2 cm. Petal length: 2.2 cm. Petal width:             1.8 cm. Petal shape: Obtuse. Petal apex: Obtuse. Petal base:             Acute. Petal margin: Crenate. Petal texture (both surfaces):             Smooth. Profile of the upper and lower parts of corolla in             lateral view: Flat convex. Petal color, immature and mature             (Over winter/spring indoor) Upper surface: Red-purple (RHS             N57C) flower color, that changes to light pink (RHS 62A)             then fading to almost white (RHS 63D). Lower surface: RHS             61D. Petal color, immature and mature (Summer/outdoor) Upper             surface: RHS 62A with a RHS 62D eye. Lower surface: RHS 61D.         -   Calyx.—Quantity of sepals per flower: 5. Calyx height:             1.6 cm. Calyx diameter (at the apex): 0.8 cm. Shape of the             calyx: Straight. Longitudinal axis of the lobes of the             calyx: Straight. Sepal texture (both upper and lower             surfaces): Smooth. Sepal color: Upper surface: RHS 144A.             Lower surface: RHS 145B. -   Peduncles:     -   -   Length.—0.8 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.1 cm.         -   Strength.—Medium-strong.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—RHS 137B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Not present.         -   Pistils.—Quantity per flower: 2. Pistil length: 1.7 cm.             Number of styles: 2. Description of the shoulder of the             style: Absent. Style length: 0.1 cm. Style color: RHS 157A.             Stigma shape: Filamentous. Stigma color: RHS 64C. Ovary             size: 0.5 cm. Ovary shape: Obovate. Ovary texture: Smooth.             Ovary color: RHS 145C. -   Fruit and seed set: Seed information is not available. -   Disease and pest/insect resistance: No disease and pest/insect     resistance observed.

COMPARISON OF ‘KLEDP20383’ WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY

‘KLEDP20383’ is distinguished from the parental lines as described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Lines Variety Female parent Male Parent Trait ‘KLEDP20383’ ‘KLEDP16188’ ‘DCP-2012-0206’ Flower color Red-purple flower Lavender Pink color, that changes to light pink then fading to almost white in winter; pink with a light pink eye in summer

‘KLEDP20383’ can be compared to the commercial Dianthus variety ‘KLEDP19309’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,427). Differences between the varieties are described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Comparison with Similar Variety Variety Commercial line Trait ‘KLEDP20383’ ‘KLEDP19309’ Flower color Red-purple flower color, that Purple changes to light pink then fading to almost white in winter; pink with a light pink eye in summer Bud color Green Brown 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus Plant Named ‘KLEDP20383’ as described and illustrated herein. 